Laboratory refrigeration apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for enabling more efficient laboratory operations which includes a laboratory work table in combination with an open well type refrigerator unit. The apparatus consists of a laboratory work bench of the type finding utility in medical and biological laboratory operations which includes in coactive association therewith an open well type of refrigerator and the required refrigeration apparatus.

United States Patent 1 Engels Sept. 3, 1974 LABORATORY REFRIGERATION APPARATUS [76] Inventor: George W. lngels, 2310 Ravenwood,

Norman, Okla. 73069 [22] Filed: Oct. 24, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 299,911

[52] US. Cl 62/227, 62/261, 62/395, 62/458 [51] Int. Cl F251) 1/00 [58] Field of Search 62/259, 261, 394, 395, 62/249, 246, 458, 226

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,552,949 9/1925 Platten 62/458 2,084,883 6/1937 Atchison 62/458 2,102,171 12/1937 Vandoren 62/394 2,359,790 10/1944 Rinehart 62/395 2,614,401 10/1952 Roberts 62/261 Primary ExaminerMeyer Perlin [57] ABSTRACT Apparatus for enabling more efficient laboratory operations which includes a laboratory work table in combination with an open well type refrigerator unit. The apparatus consists of a laboratory work bench of the type finding utility in medical and biological laboratory operations which includes in coactive association therewith an open well type of refrigerator and the required refrigeration apparatus.

4 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures LABORATORY REFRIGERATION APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The invention relates generally to improvements in laboratory work space and, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, it relates to an improved laboratory bench apparatus which includes an open well refrigerator in combination therewith.

2. Description of the Prior Art The prior art relative to tables or benches designed for particular usage includes many and varied forms of such structure including, in many instances, a particular form of apparatus in combination therewith to facilitate a particular function. Scrutiny of the prior art teachings discloses no reference to a laboratory-type work table which includes a readily accessible welltype refrigeration unit in combination therewith. Combination of structure in accordance with the present teachings provides a novel device exhibiting synergistic effect relative to prior teachings in the related art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention contemplates a laboratory work space which includes in combination therewith a well-type refrigeration unit which can be thermostatically maintained at a desirable well temperature for the purpose of preserving work specimens at optimum temperature during technical observation and testing. In a more limited aspect, the invention consists of a welltype enclosure supported in the work structure and having the requisite cooling and temperature control apparatus disposed in accessible location within the work table.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a laboratory work bench in combination with a well-type specimen refrigerator.

It is also an object of the invention to provide, refrigeration apparatus for maintaining blood, urine, tissue and the like specimens at optimum temperature yet ready accessibility during testing and examination procedures.

Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide a laboratory work space/well refrigeration unit which obviates the necessity for storing and periodically obtaining and replacing specimen materials from the larger general purpose laboratory refrigerators.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be evident from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing which illustrates the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. I is a perspective view of the laboratory work table and refrigeration well as may be constructed in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along lines 22 of FIG. 1 illustrating one form of construction for the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to FIG. I, a laboratory table is shown as consisting of suitable floor support structure 12, side panel 14, front panel 16 and a ventilation panel 18 which enables access to the refrigeration equipment, as will be further described below. The top of laboratory table 10 is formed by a suitable work surface 20 which may be formed in accordance with any of conventional practices from materials which are highly acid resistant and inert with respect to chemical reagents. Thus, work surface 20 may be formed from any of marble materials, protected wood, or various of the synthetic materials available for such applications.

A refrigerator well 22 is recessed through work surface 20 at an optimum table position thereby to provide a cooling well immediately adjacent the work area. A rectangular cutout portion 24 of work surface 20 may be provided to allow most convenient placement of associated equipment such as centrifuge, microscope equipment, etc. The refrigeration equipment and electrical control equipment for the refrigerator well 22 may be included immediately below refrigerator well 22 in the body of laboratory table 10 and it is accessible by removal of a ventilator screen 26 of suitable formation to allow free passage of air to the surrounds of the refrigeration equipment, as will be further described. A similar type of ventilating screen would preferably be provided on the opposite side of laboratory table 10. It

should be understood that the particular shape and construction of laboratory table 10 is susceptible of many design variations as may be dictated by exigencies of usage. Also, it may be desirable to include the refrigerator well 22 in coactive association with chest structures, ventilation chambers and the like.

Referring now to FIG. 2, refrigerator well 22 is formed by a stainless steel receptacle 28 having a flange 30 surrounding the open side thereof. The flange 30 serves to provide a seating surface to rest on work surface 20 when receptacle 28 is disposed down within a matingly shaped cutout 32 of work surface 20. The underside of flange 30 may be securely bonded by a suitable bonding and sealing agent such as selected epoxy resins, etc. The use of stainless steel to form receptacle 28 provides a substance enabling rapid heat transfer and easy cleaning, but any of various receptacle materials may be utilized. Present design utilizes l8 gage 302 stainless steel formed as a generally rectangular dimensioned pan, 16 inches wide, 21 inches long, and 8 inches deep. The well may also include a drain pipe 27 closable by a suitable drain plug 29 and leading through a drain hose 31 to a nearby receptacle or drain system for the purpose of removing condensate liquid. If desired, a slight control slope may be formed in the bottom surface of receptacle 28.

A serial arrangement of cooling coils 34 are then arrayed about the exterior of receptacle 28. The cooling coils 34 may consist of such as inches copper tubing suitably secured, as by soldering, about the external surface of receptacle 28. In present construction, the refrigerant piping or tubing of cooling coils 34 are arrayed at l /2 to 2 inches spacing over the entire exterior surface of receptacle 28. The input end of cooling coils 34 is connected in communication with refrigerant tubing 36 which conducts cooled refrigerant from a refrigerator unit 38. The wanned refrigerant output from cooling coils 34 is connected in communication with a refrigerant tubing 40 for return to the refrigeration unit 38.

The external surface of receptacle 28 as well as cooling coils 34 is then covered with insulation 42, e.g. 1 inch thick refrigeration insulation such as the commercially available material known as Armaflax. In addition, tubing sleeve insulation 44 and 46 may be provided on the respective connecting refrigerant tubing 36 and 40 leading to refrigeration unit 38.

The refrigeration unit 38 is a standard, commercially available type of unit, the size and rating of which was selected in accordance with the requirements of the present installation. In actual construction, the invention has been practiced utilizing an air-cooled Tecumseh unit, Model No. AE6H, which effects heat exchange at the rate of 1315 British Thermal Units per hour. The unit is utilized complete with drier and provides for 90 ambient air temperature and 35 suction temperature.

Energizing power to refrigeration unit 38 is supplied from an a-c receptacle 48 which receives power from a selected external source for application via power cord 50 to refrigeration unit 38. A motor controller 52, as connected via cable 54 to refrigeration unit 38, controls application of power to refrigeration unit 38 in accordance with sensing indication derived through thermostat 56. A thermostat sensor bulb 58 is suitably disposed near the well top of receptacle 28 within a protective stainless steel cover 60. The thermostat sensor bulb 58 then connects via capillary tubing 62 for input to thermostat unit 56. The thermostat unit 56 may be any of various well-known and commercially available units, and is adjustable by means of control knob 64 to set the desired control temperature. It has been found in practice that setting of thermostat 56 to maintain about a 40 temperature at the well top or the area adjacent thermostat sensor bulb 58 will provide optimum laboratory operation. Motor controller 52 is also readily available in standard form from many of various commercial sources for use in combination with thermostat 56 to control the operation of refrigerator unit 38.

While the specific electrical control components thermostat 56, motor controller 52 and a-c power receptacle 48, are shown as being mounted on an interior support panel 66, it should be understood that the interior design and placement of components within laboratory table are susceptible of wide variance and will generally be dictated by the exigencies of particular laboratory table configuration and design.

OPERATION In the case where a laboratory table 10 is used in a medical laboratory, specimens such as blood, urine, tissue samples and the like are collected throughout the dayin various containers such as test tubes, bottles, etc. These biological materials of different type, may be in different forms of container, are brought to the laboratory for analysis for various constituents and impurities, many of which will deteriorate rapidly if left at room temperature. Present practice requires that such specimens be maintained in the usually available walk-in or refrigerator type laboratory cooling units, and this is a time-consuming and inconvenient practice for laboratory personnel. Use of the refrigerator well 22 of laboratory table 10 allows all specimen samples to be maintained at a desirable temperature, usually in the neighborhood of 38 to 40 Fahrenheit or slightly above freezing temperature. This eliminates the necessity for laboratory personnel to be opening or closing doors excessively or walking considerable distances repetitively to carry out a battery of test practices.

Specimens brought in from the hospital, clinic or associated medical activity may simply be placed in the refrigerator well 22 in specified test tube holders, bottle racks or the like, whereupon testing personnel thereafter work directly from refrigerator well 22 in carrying out the requisite testing procedures.

The refrigerating temperature within refrigeration well 22 is determined by the continual sensing of temperature at thermostat bulb 58. As previously stated, this temperature is usually set at between 38 and 40 Fahrenheit and serves to maintain an even temperature gradient throughout the depth of refrigeration well 22. A hot/cold interface establishes at the well opening, and the interface is of relatively stable nature unaffected by ambient room temperature and normal air movement in the vicinity of laboratory table 10.

The foregoing discloses a novel combination of laboratory work space or counter and an open well type of refrigerator compartment proximate thereto. Such apparatus enables much increased efficiency in carrying out various laboratory analysis and test procedures relative to the numerous physiological substances or specimens encountered in medical practice, biological re search and the like. Storage of specimens in an accessible space in constant view also alleviates problems sometimes resulting from loss or misplacement of certain specimen materials with the resulting effect that there is an increase in overall efficiency, accuracy and reliability of the laboratory work output.

Changes may be made in the combination and arrangement of elements as heretofore set forth in the specification and shown in the drawings; it being understood that changes may be made in the embodiments disclosed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A combination open well refrigeration space and work space apparatus for utilization in laboratory testing and work procedures, comprising:

a laboratory table structure including floor support means and a fixed countertop providing a work surface, said countertop including a cut-out portion of predetermined shape extending downward therethrough;

refrigeration well means formed of metallic material defining an opening shaped similar to said predetermined shape which is continually maintained open, said well means being supported in position through said cut-out portion of said countertop;

cooling coil means affixed by continuous metal-tometal joinder around the exterior surfaces of said refrigeration well means, said cooling coil means being wound in relatively proximate winding spacing over the entire exterior surface of said refrigeration well means in rigid heat-conductive afiixure thereto;

insulation means continuously covering said cooling coil means and exterior surfaces of said refrigeration well means;

a refrigeration unit disposed within said laboratory table structure in communication with said cooling coil means to maintain periodic flow of coolant substance through said cooling coil means;

a thermostatic sensor bulb supported in said refrigeration well means proximate to said opening thereof;

capillary tube means connected to said sensor bulb and extending through said refrigeration well means;

a thermostat control disposed within said laboratory supporting engagement on said countertop around table structure and having said capillary tube said cut-out portion thereof. means connected to provide temperature indica- 3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 which is further tion thereto; and characterized to include: motor control means responsive to said thermostatic 5 protective cover means disposed to envelop said control means to periodically energize said refrigthermostatic sensor bulb and supported by secure cration unit thereby to maintain said refrigeration affixure to said refrigeration well means. well at a predetermined temperature. 4. A combination apparatus as set forth in claim 1 2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein: which is further characterized in that: said refrigeration well means is formed to include a 10 said refrigeration well means is continuously formed collar flange extending around the perimeter of of stainless steel. said opening, said collar flange serving to rest in 

1. A combination open well refrigeration space and work space apparatus for utilization in laboratory testing and work procedures, comprising: a laboratory table structure including floor support means and a fixed countertop providing a work surface, said countertop including a cut-out portion of predetermined shape extending downward therethrough; refrigeration well means formed of metallic material defining an opening shaped similar to said predetermined shape which is continually maintained open, said well means being supported in position through said cut-out portion of said countertop; cooling coil means affixed by continuous metal-to-metal joinder around the exterior surfaces of said refrigeration well means, said cooling coil means being wound in relatively proximate winding spacing over the entire exterior surface of said refrigeration well means in rigid heat-conductive affixure thereto; insulation means continuously covering said cooling coil means and exterior surfaces of said refrigeration well means; a refrigeration unit disposed within said laboratory table structure in communication with said cooling coil means to maintain periodic flow of coolant substance through said cooling coil means; a thermostatic sensor bulb supported in said refrigeration well means proximate to said opening thereof; capillary tube means connected to said sensor bulb and extending through said refrigeration well means; a thermostat control disposed within said laboratory table structure and having said capillary tube means connected to provide temperature indication thereto; and motor control means responsive to said thermostatic control means to periodically energize said refrigeration unit thereby to maintain said refrigeration well at a predetermined temperature.
 2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said refrigeration well means is formed to include a collar flange extending around the perimeter of said opening, said collar flange serving to rest in supporting engagement on said countertop around said cut-out portion thereof.
 3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 which is further characterized to include: protective cover means disposed to envelop said thermostatic sensor bulb and supported by secure affixure to said refrigeration well means.
 4. A combination apparatus as set forth in claim 1 which is further characterized in that: said refrigeration well means is continuously formed of stainless steel. 